It wasn't a question of if Martin would qualify for this provincial, but when.

As defending champ, Martin only had to go down the playdowns trail because he fine-tuned his lineup for the 2010 Olympics run.

As a tanned Ferbey stood in the upstairs lounge fresh off a Caribbean vacation, Martin was trying to get game-sharp against a formidable opponent who has lost just once since last month's Canada Cup qualifier.

"We're definitely going to have a team practice tomorrow,'' said Martin. "We're not quite ready for Winnipeg, I think. We're not firing, for sure, on all cylinders now.''

Next Wednesday, Martin and the other three Edmonton-based teams will be in Winnipeg for the BDO Classic, the second event of this Grand Slam season. Add 13th ranked Don Walchuk, whom Martin edged 8-7 in the A semi and the field will include five Edmonton teams in an 18-team event.

"With us having a new team, having a few more games was not a bad thing for us,'' said Martin.

"To be able to come through it, for sure it was better for us to play than to not play.''

Nine days after the Winnipeg event is done, Martin will be gunning for his record eighth Alberta title.

"I ain't done yet,'' said Martin. "This is a real good warmup for our team for next week in trying to get the ball rolling for us for the provincials. We've had about a month where we're not up to snuff.''